Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who lists his occupation as farmer, could make a return appearance as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee with the retirement of the current chairman, Orrin Hatch of Utah, says Roll Call. A longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Grassley has two years of eligibility remaining of the six-year term Republicans set on committee chairmanships.
The Capitol Hill newspaper said speculation about Hatch’s successor began as soon as he announced he would retire at the end of this year. Grassley, a political conservative and a prominent advocate of biofuels, was Finance chairman from 2003 to 2007. He currently chairs the Judiciary Committee. Discussion of committee chairmanships hinges on Republicans maintaining control of the Senate.
“A move back to leading the Finance panel in the final two years of President Donald Trump’s first term could be appealing to Grassley. But with scores of appellate court seats to fill, along with the potential for additional Supreme Court nominations, he might well choose to continue on the Judiciary Committee,” said Roll Call.